A PROMISING chef who was well respected by his former employees has been killed after he was involved in a road traffic accident in Woking last week.

Michael Hampton, 20, of Goldsworth Park was travelling along the A324 Lockfield Drive between Victoria Way and Arthur’s Bridge Road just after 12.45am on Thursday when he fell off his red Honda motorcycle and collided with a roadside post.

Victoria Way and Lockfield Drive were closed until 7am. Another motorist was arrested and is helping police with their enquiries.

The Family of Mr Hampton released this statement: “Michael was a much loved son and brother who enjoyed family life. He left Winston Churchill School when he was 17 years old and went on to train as a chef.

“He worked locally, starting at the Holiday Inn in Woking where he gained qualifications and experience. He enjoyed success, winning gold medals as part of a team in national catering competitions.

“In his spare time Michael spent time riding his motorbike and loved the world of computers. He will be missed by parents, brother and all his friends and colleagues alike.”

Debra Keeble, general manager of the Holiday Inn on Victoria Way and former work colleague of Mr Hampton paid tribute to his hardworking attitude during his time at the Woking Hotel.

“Michael was an excellent employee who won an award at the prestigious Hotel Olympia,” said Mrs Keeble.

“He was an excellent team member who was extremely well liked by his colleagues. He wasn’t jovial all the time but he was certainly someone you could talk to and he was very intelligent. We were very sad when he left because he had the makings of a first class chef.

“He had just won employee of the season, an award we have at the hotel every season for members of staff who go the extra mile and are exemplary in their work,” she added.